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As we go to press, the government is still shut down, but local politicians are helping federal employees that are affected by hosting food and supply drives. Both Senator Joe Addabbo and Senator James Sanders are running drives to help federal employees and all are welcome to help contribute.

Starting Monday, January 21, Addabbo’s offices in Howard Beach (159-53 102nd Street) and Middle Village (66-85 73rd Place), as well as the Queens County Savings Bank locations at 156-02 Crossbay Boulevard and 156-32 Crossbay Boulevard (inside the Stop & Shop parking lot) started being utilized as drop-off locations for food and toiletries that anyone is willing to donate to help federal workers that are not receiving a paycheck due to the shutdown.

“It is a shame that these hardworking federal employees are caught up in this political back-and-forth,” Addabbo said. “Whether or not President Trump’s wall should be funded, these people — who have families they need to feed and bills that need to be paid — should not be held hostage.”

In order to help the furloughed workers, the drop-off locations will be accepting non-perishable food items like canned goods, pastas, cereals, and others, as well as toiletries such as soaps and detergents, toothpaste, feminine hygiene products, and more.

The supplies will be distributed out of Our Lady of Grace Church, located at 100-05 159th Avenue in Howard Beach and the Sacred Heart food pantry located at 83-17 78th Avenue on Glendale. These sites can also be used as drop-off locations. In order to collect needed supplies at the drop-off locations, federal workers will have to display their federal ID.

“I hope that any federal employees who are not receiving a paycheck due to the partial government shutdown come to one of our drop-off locations and help themselves to anything that they need during this difficult time,” Addabbo said. “I appreciate the efforts from Queens County Savings Bank, Sacred Heart, Our Lady of Grace for their efforts in this endeavor, as well as everyone who makes a donation.”

For more information on this drive, call Addabbo’s Howard Beach office at 718-738-1111.

Senator Sanders is also collecting donations of non-perishable food, toiletries along with baby formula, diapers, and other childcare items for federal workers.

Items can be dropped off at Senator Sanders’ District Office, located at 142-01 Rockaway Boulevard in South Ozone Park, Monday – Friday, between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Those seeking to receive items must present a valid, current, federal ID from one of the agencies affected by the government shutdown.

While Senator Sanders is collecting items, anyone with immediate needs can visit the Rosedale-Laurelton American Legion Post 483, which operates a food pantry on Wednesdays from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. It is located at 240-08 135th Avenue in Rosedale, Queens.

For more information, contact Senator Sanders’ Office at 718-523-3069.